First off, and this is kinda obvious but still important, look at the logos. Duh, right? But seriously, *really* look at them. Are the three stripes the right width? Is the Adidas logo (the trefoil or the mountain-y one) crisp and clear? Is the spacing weird? A lot of times, fakes will have slightly wonky logos. Maybe the stitching around it is sloppy, or the color is just a *teeny* bit off. Like, a real Adidas Superstar should have a very specific shade of gold on the logo, not some cheapy-looking yellow.
And talking of stitching, that’s another biggie. Real Adidas shoes are usually made with really tight, clean stitching. If you see loose threads, uneven lines, or just generally messy craftsmanship, that’s a red flag, BIG TIME. I mean, Adidas isn’t perfect, they might have a stray thread here and there, but if it looks like a kindergartener did the stitching, you’re probably holding a fake.
Then there’s the tongue label. Oh man, the tongue label. This is where counterfeiters often mess up. Check the font. Is it the right font? Is the spacing correct? Is the text centered? Compare it to pictures of authentic Adidas shoes online. And don’t just rely on one picture! Look at a bunch of different sources. Also, feel the material. Does it feel cheap and plasticky? Or does it feel like decent quality material?
Now, I’ve heard some people mention paying attention to the insoles. That’s not a bad idea, actually! Pull ’em out and take a look. Are they properly glued in? Do they feel flimsy? Are they the right color? Sometimes, fakes will use really cheap, thin insoles that are a dead giveaway.
Let’s not forget the smell! Seriously, a lot of fakes have this weird, chemical-y smell. Real Adidas shoes have more of a “new shoe” smell, if that makes sense. It’s hard to describe, but you’ll know it when you smell it. I had this one pair of “Adidas” I got from some dodgy market, and they smelled like gasoline mixed with plastic. *Yuck*.
Oh, and one more thing, something I always check with Superstars, the shell toe. The shell toe should be firm but slightly flexible. It shouldn’t be rock hard or super flimsy. Also, the texture should be consistent. If it looks uneven or bumpy, that’s another sign of a fake.
